Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port successfully launches night navigation in upper reaches of River Hooghly
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has marked a significant milestone in its operational efficiency with the successful commencement of night navigation in the upper reaches of the River Hooghly, from Budge Budge to the Sea — a crucial development aimed at reducing turnaround time and pre-berthing detention of vessels.
Speaking of the groundbreaking achievement, Chairman of SMP Kolkata, Mr Rathendra Raman, highlighted, “This is a historic day for SMP Kolkata. The successful introduction of night navigation in the upper stretches of the River Hooghly is a testament to the scientific and technological approach adopted by the port. It will significantly improve operational efficiency and turnaround time, paving the way for enhanced trade throughput”. He congratulated the Marine Department led by Capt. Avijit Ghosh and all others who made the initiative possible.
Historically, the long and meandering 232-km river channel from sea to Kolkata Dock System (KDS), marked by restrictions in navigable depth and strong cross-tidal currents, posed a significant challenge for continuous vessel movement. The absence of night navigation between Diamond Harbour and Kolkata was a longstanding impediment to optimal maritime operations.
Leveraging modern electronic aids like electronic charts and navigational simulators, and backed by significant improvements in navigational infrastructure—including track lights, transit lights and illuminated channel buoys —SMPK has now enabled seamless night time vessel transit through the river channel. The National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, prepared a comprehensive study and roadmap for night navigation in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp. A navigational simulator, jointly installed by IIT Madras and Applied Research International (ARI), is now operational to support pilot training and real-time scenario analysis.
In a stretch of 32 nautical miles between Noorpur to Kolkata, there are 8 crossings where the channel moves from one bank of the river to another bank. In these stretches, there are shore transits called tracks. A pilot had to keep on the transit line for safe navigation, and some of these transits have been lit for safe navigation.
A new era
The inaugural run, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, saw the successful transit of the container vessel MV Sinar Penida, with Length Overall (LOA) of 117 metres and a draft of 6.0 metres, carrying a cargo quantity of 8,000 MT from Budge Budge to the sea during complete darkness. This successful transit marks the beginning of a new era for navigation on the Hooghly.
With the introduction of night navigation, the port is expected to witness a notable increase in the number of vessels that can be handled daily, significantly improving berth availability and port throughput. The ability to operate round-the-clock will decongest the channel, facilitate quicker vessel turnaround and directly impact critical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as Pre-Berthing Delay, Berth Occupancy Rate and Ship-Day Productivity. This strategic enhancement is poised to make SMPK a more attractive and competitive hub for global shipping lines, said Mr Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairperson, SMP Kolkata.
Mr Rahi also lauded the efforts of Team SMPK and said, “This achievement is truly commendable, which reflects the spirit of innovation and coordination among all individuals involved”.
Mr Rathendra Raman added that with further acclimatisation of pilots and continuous technological upgradation, they looked forward to enabling night navigation for larger vessels with deeper drafts, ultimately transforming SMPK into a more agile and future-ready port.
This initiative has been widely appreciated by stakeholders and port users who have congratulated SMPK for this forward-looking step. The introduction of night navigation is poised to significantly reduce vessel turnaround time, ease river traffic congestion and enhance overall port efficiency. With a strong focus on innovation and technology-driven solutions, SMPK continues its stride toward a future of improved operational performance and superior service delivery, highlighted a release.
Source: Exim News Service: Kolkata, May 6